Dockray Meadow CAMC Site. (N54.5707 W3.41841)... contd......

Wednesday, 18th August 2021

No rain overnight, as far as I know, but, another grey, cloudy start to the day, although it is still a mild 16C.

Kathleen was in favour of cutting our loses, based on the weather, and just heading for home. I talked her out of it, on the basis that, each day so far, the sun has appeared from such time onwards. Today, I was wrong, heavy cloud, all day, no rain however.

An after lunch walk, of just over 3 miles, along the NCN 71 cycle route, toward Ennerdale Water. 

We meet two young ladies (early twenties, I would guess), from Newcastle, who are cycling the C2C route to Tynemouth. 

They had taken the train from Newcastle this morning, to Whitehaven, and set off East, at some unspecified time today. They did not appear to be carrying enough "gear" to be camping, so, goodness knows where they intend to spend the night.

At the point we met them, they were coasting down a long downhill stretch, just before Lamplugh. I decided against dis-heartening them, by telling them, the next section, toward Loweswater, is steadily uphill for at least two miles.

Full marks to them for giving it a go, hopefully, they will enjoy it!

Thursday, 19th August 2021

Surprise, it is raining again this morning.

Not one of our better trips, enjoyment limited by weather, definitely not worth missing a visit from Gary, Susana and family, for.

Home today.

 

Dockray Meadow CAMC Site. (N54.5707 W3.41841)

 Sunday, 15th August 2021

Not a promising start, weatherise, dull, with slight drizzle, for our 100 mile drive to Dockray Meadow CAMC Site, Lamplugh, Cumbria, CA14 4SH.

Slight discussions about why the Sat-Nav brought us the way it did, but, it transpires a section of road is closed, so, approaching via the route we did was the best option.

Site is up to the usual high standard for CAMC sites, although the layout of pitches is somewhat random, buy CAMC standards. For the first time ever, I note Motorhomes and Caravans parked sideways on pitches, never seen that before on a CAMC site! TV signal, even with the aid of EHU bollard booster, is poor. Internet signal from 3 is 3g only, although Tesco/O2 manage 4g.

As always on the first day, not a lot of time to do very much, eat, and a short walk (just under 3 miles), to explore the immediate area are all we have time for.

Monday, 16th August 2021

Lake district weather strikes, cloudy and raining, although it is not cold at 15C.

Rain stops and sun emerges by lunch time. 

We set off on a walk. Based on yesterday evening's walk, and, after discussion, I have carefully researched a potential walk, memorised place names etc. 

Before we even reach the first turn, Kathleen decides to follow a totally different route, for which we have no map, and, for which, I have not even looked at a map. We do just over 7 miles, during which I don't have the foggiest idea where we are.

On our return, as we sit and have a well deserved coffee, in a brief period of sunshine, a you family (Mother, Father, two boys about 7 and 9), arrive in a hired Motorhome. After setting up their van, they depart on bicycles, not for long, they obviously had not bargained for the hills! The boys then discover a frog, and, much amusement is had for about an hour, all without an electronic device in evidence.

Tuesday, 17th August 2021

Heavy overnight rain, and, this morning, the large hill, adjacent to the Campsite is shrouded in cloud.

Believe it or not, between the trees, on the left and the right, there is a large hill. If the cloud lifts, I will try to get a photograph to prove the point!

Well, I waited an hour, and, the hill is visible again, the vagaries of the Lake District weather.

As expected, by lunch time, the rain had gone, and, some blue sky was visible, although, it. was quite windy.

We go walking again, this time following a route where I have studied the map, so, we at least know where we are going! Just over 3.5 miles brings us to Loweswater.

We encounter this rather imposing gateway, as we leave Lamplugh, it is part of a listed building., just opposite a rather imposing Church (St Michaels), which is also a listed building.

Some impressive views, both before, and after we reach Loweswater.